?(nu'rican  ‘25oarb  of  Commioj^ionerj^  for  jforei0n  jCiai00ionff. 


MANUAL 

FOR 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  BOARD: 

BEACON  PRESS,  THOS.  TODD,  CONGREGATIONAL  HOUSE,  BOSTON. 

1889. 


MANUAL. 


The  remarkable  growth  of  woman’s  work  in  the 
foreign  field  and  the  large  number  of  Christian  women 
who,  in  connection  with  the  Woman’s  Boards,  are  devot¬ 
ing  themselves  to  this  service  in  the  different  missions 
of  the  American  Board  and  under  its  care  and  super¬ 
vision,  suggest  the  importance  of  a  Manual  that  may 
define  the  qualifications  of  candidates,  and  their  rela¬ 
tions  to  the  different  Boards  and  to  the  missions  of 
which  they  may  become  members. 

This  pamphlet  is  intended  to  be  such  a  Manual  for  the 
use  of  women  who  wish  to  engage  in  missionary  work, 
and  for  their  guidance  after  their  appointment  as  mission¬ 
aries.  It  will  serve  instead  of  many  written  and  verbal 
answers  to  inquiries  which  must  otherwise  be  proposed 
to  the  Secretaries  or  Treasurer.  It  will  always  be 
presumed  that  candidates  have  made  themselves  ac¬ 
quainted  with  the  contents  of  these  pages,  and  that 
nothing  need  be  repeated  which  is  contained  here. 

I.  Missionary  Candidates. 

An  early  decision  to  be  a  missionary  will  do  no  injury 
to  one  who  may  be  providentially  kept  from  engaging 
in  the  foreign  service.  The  thought  and  hope  of  such 
service  at  some  day  will  be  a  means  of  healthful  dis¬ 
cipline  in  Christian  character.  A  sincere  regard  for 
duty  and  a  resolute  pursuit  of  it  are  far  less  likely  to 
be  injurious  to  one’s  usefulness  than  a  timorous  shrink¬ 
ing  from  responsibility.  Qualifications  and  the  oppor¬ 
tunity  may  be  regarded  as  constituting  a  call  to  the 
foreign  field. 


MANUAL. 


3 


II.  Qualifications. 

Of  these  some  are  indispensable  for  all  candidates 
for  the  missionary  work,  while  others  are  especially 
requisite  in  certain  departments  of  that  work. 

1.  The  same  general  qualifications  are  requisite 
which  are  justly  esteemed  as  the  conditions  of  success 
at  home  :  an  unimpaired  physical  constitution  ;  good 
intellectual  ability,  well  disciplined  by  education,  and 
if  possible  by  practical  experience  ;  good  sense  ;  sound 
judgment  of  men  and  things;  versatility,  tact,  adapta¬ 
tion  to  all  classes  and  circumstances  —  “  sanctified 
common  sense  ;  ”  a  cheerful,  hopeful  spirit,  ability  to 
work  pleasantly  with  others ;  persistent  energy  in  the 
carrying  out  of  plans  once  begun  —  all  controlled  by 
a  single-hearted^  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  Christ  and  his 
cause. 

Mental  powers  and  attainments  of  the  highest  order, 
executive  ability  and  capacity  for  organizing  and  super¬ 
intending,  find  ample  scope  in  the  missionary  field. 
Though  there  are  many  helps  to  the  acquisition  of 
foreign  languages  not  enjoyed  by  the  early  mission¬ 
aries,  facility  in  acquiring  a  foreign  tongue  is  a  valuable 
qualification  ;  yet  much  depends  on  the  persistent  pur¬ 
pose  to  master  it.  The  candidate  should  sustain  a 
good  character  among  those  who  know  her.  Her 
standing  should  be  such  that  when  her  intention  is 
announced  the  common  sentiment  of  those  who  know 
her  will  be  that  she  is  well  qualified  for  the  work. 

2.  As  to  the  second  class  of  qualifications,  namely, 
special  adaptations  to  a  particular  department  of  labor  : 

Those  who  expect  to  be  engaged  mainly  in  teaching 
should  be  thoroughly  prepared  by  their  intellectual 
attainments  and  discipline,  and  should  have  shown 
special  fitness  in  actual  service,  by  their  success  not 
only  in  the  general  work  of  teaching,  but  in  moulding 
character.,  shaping  the  minds  and  hearts  of  their  pupils. 

A  missionary  physician  should  have  what  would  in 
this  country  be  esteemed  a  competent  medical  educa¬ 
tion  ;  and  she  should  be  prepared  and  determined  to 
make  her  professional  knowledge  and  skill  directly 
subservient  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 


4 


MANUAL. 


The  foregoing  qualifications  are  requisite  in  women, 
whether  married  or  unmarried,  who  go  out  as  mission¬ 
aries,  so  far  as  they  are  applicable  to  their  sphere  of 
labor  and  their  peculiar  circumstances.  Practical 
knowledge  of  domestic  work,  especially  of  the  cidinary 
art^  is  often  of  very  great  value.  Indeed,  there  is  no 
knowledge,  or  attainment,  or  practical  experience  of 
any  sort,  that  may  not  be  of  service  in  the  foreign  field. 

In  all  ordinary  cases  it  is  expected  that  those  who 
become  missionaries  will  consecrate  themselves  to  this 
service  for  life. 

III.  Time  and  Manner  of  applying  for  an  Appointment, 

It  is  desirable  that  the  offer  of  service  should  be  made 
six  months  at  least  before  the  candidate  expects  to 
complete  her  preparation. 

The  offer  should  be  written,  and  it  should  be  ad¬ 
dressed  to  the  Secretaries,  or  if  preferred,  the  applica¬ 
tion  may  be  made  through  the  Woman’s  Board.  The 
candidate  should  give  a  brief  history  of  herself,  setting 
forth  her  age,  residence,  early  education,  habits,  employ¬ 
ments,  religious  experience,  views  and  motives  in  desir¬ 
ing  the  missionary  work,  the  department  of  labor  in 
which  she  wishes  to  engage,  and  the  field  she  prefers, 
if  she  has  any  preference,  with  the  reasons  therefor. 
She  should  state  particularly  whether  she  has  a  sound 
constitution  and  enjoys  good  health,  or  the  contrary ; 
whether  she  is  in  debt,  or  expects  to  be  so  when  her 
studies  are  completed ;  and  in  short,  any  particulars 
respecting  herself  which  she  thinks  the  Committee 
ought  to  know  in  acting  upon  her  offer  of  service. 
This  paper  should  be  drawn  up  with  great  frankness 
on  the  part  of  the  candidate.  She  may  expect  that  a 
corresponding  frankness  will  be  used  toward  herself. 
Acquaintance,  personal  or  by  correspondence,  with 
members  of  some  one  of  the  Woman’s  Boards  is 
specially  desirable. 

The  offer  of  those  who  are  to  become  the  wives  of 
missionaries  is  usually  made  through  their  intended 
husbands,  but  should  cover  the  same  ground  with  that 


MANUAL. 


5 


which  is  presented  by  single  ladies,  since  wives  of  mis¬ 
sionaries  receive  personal  appointments  as  assistant 
missionaries. 


IV.  Testimonials. 

The  Prudential  Committee  regard  it  their  duty, 
before  appointing  any  person  as  a  missionary  of  the 
Board,  to  obtain  a  thorough  knowledge  of  her  char¬ 
acter  and  qualifications  for  the  work  to  which  she  as¬ 
pires.  For  this  reason  a  personal  acquaintance  is 
sought  in  all  cases  where  it  is  possible.  In  the  first 
instance,  however,  written  testimonials  are  obtained 
and  sent  on  by  the  candidate.  These  should  relate  to 
the  various  points  already  noticed  under  the  head  of 
“  qualifications.” 

The  proper  persons  to  furnish  testimonials  are 
the  pastor,  with  the  deacons  or  elders  of  the  church 
to  which  the  candidate  belongs,  or  where  she  is  best 
known  as  a  Christian.  If  a  physician,  the  persons  with 
whom  she  pursued  her  professional  studies  should  give 
her  testimonials  in  regard  to  her  proficiency  therein. 

It  is  desirable  that  others  also  who  are  well  acquainted 
with  the  candidate  should  freely  give  their  opinion  as 
to  her  fitness  for  the  work.  An  intelligent  and  pious 
woman  in  whose  family  she  has  resided,  or  who  has 
otherwise  become  well  acquainted  with  her,  may  give 
much  valuable  information.  If  educated  at  any  acad¬ 
emy,  seminary,  or  college,  there  should  be  a  letter  from 
the  principal  of  the  institution.  In  every  instance  there 
should  be  an  explicit  statement  as  to  health,  and  the 
testimony  of  the  family  physician  should  be  obtained. 

Those  whose  physical  constitutions  have  been  at 
any  time  seriously  impaired,  who  have  suffered  from 
rheumatic  complaints  or  affections  of  the  spine,  and 
especially  for  a  long  time  from  nervous  prostration,  or 
from  difficulties  peculiar  to  women,  as  a  general  rule, 
ought  not  to  go  abroad. 

The  more  full,  minute,  and  explicit  these  testimo¬ 
nials  are,  the  better.  They  should  be  sealed  by  the 
writers  and  addressed  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Board. 
Too  much  carefulness  cannot  be  exercised  by  persons 


6 


MANUAL. 


called  on  to  give  testimonials,  to  be  conscientiously 
faithful  to  their  convictions,  as  a  duty  alike  to  the  can¬ 
didate  and  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 

V.  Questions  for  Missiofiary  Candidates. 

The  following  questions  which  missionary  candi¬ 
dates  are  requested  carefully  to  answer,  though  with  all 
convenient  brevity,  in  their  offer  of  service,  will  show 
what  is  desired  by  the  Prudential  Committee  : 

1.  What  are  your  views  respecting  each  of  the  lead¬ 
ing  doctrines  of  Scripture  commonly  held  by  the 
churches  sustaining  this  Board.?  In  answering  this 
question,  you  may  use  your  own  language,  or  refer  to 
any  creeds  of  acknowledged  weight,  as  to  the  doctrines 
contained  in  these  creeds. 

2.  Have  you  any  views  at  variance  with  these  doc¬ 
trines,  or  any  views  of  church  government  which  would 
prevent  your  cordial  cooperation  with  the  missionaries 
of  this  Board  ? 

3.  wnat  leads  you  to  think  that  you  have  been 
renewed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 

4.  How  long  have  you  been  a  communicant  in  the 
church,  and  of  what  church  are  you  now  a  member.? 

5.  What  leads  you  to  desire  foreign  missionary  ser¬ 
vice  .? 

6.  How  do  you  regard  hardship,  suffering,  and 
peril  incurred  in  prosecuting  the  missionary  work ;  and 
to  what  extent  are  you  taking  them  into  the  account 
and  preparing  yourself  to  meet  them  ? 

7.  What  is  your  purpose  relative  to  entering  into 
the  missionary  work  for  life  ? 

8.  What  is  your  age  ?  What  is  your  native  place  .? 
Where  has  been  your  residence  ?  In  what  business 
or  employments  have  you  been  engaged .? 

9.  What  course  of  education  have  you  pursued  ?  Do 
you  acquire  languages  easily  ?  What  knowledge  have 
you  of  music  ? 

10.  What  is  the  state  of  your  health?  Did  you  in¬ 
herent  a  good  constitution  in  all  respects  ?  Are  you 
aware  of  being  now,  or  of  having  been  at  any  time. 


MANUAL. 


7 


subject  to  any  bodily  ailment  or  infirmity  ?  Are  your 
habits  sedentary  or  active  ? 

11.  Are  any  near  relatives  to  such  a  degree  depend¬ 
ent  on  you,  or  likely  to  become  so,  that  you  are  under 
obligations  to  make  provision  for  their  support  ? 

12.  Do  you  assent  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
the  Board,  or  is  there  anything  in  its  organization  or 
rules,  or  in  the  organization  or  manner  of  conducting 
its  missions,  which  you  disapprove,  or  which  would  pre¬ 
vent  your  laboring  cheerfully  and  happily  under  its 
direction,  and  in  conformity  with  its  regulations  and 
those  of  the  missions  ? 

VI.  Under  Appointment. 

The  appointment  and  the  designation  are  two  distinct 
things.  They  need  not  be  decided  at  the  same  time ; 
and  often  they  are  not.  The  first  will  be  decided  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  necessary  papers  are  com¬ 
plete  ;  and  the  second  as  soon  thereafter  as  circum¬ 
stances  will  permit.  The  designation  is  always  made 
as  the  result  of  a  free  conference  with  the  missionary, 
and  never  in  opposition  to  her  expressed  views  and 
wishes.  In  respect  to  this  matter,  the  interest  of  the 
missionary  and  of  the  Prudential  Committee  are  the 
same. 

The  missionary  engages,  on  accepting  her  appoint¬ 
ment,  to  conform  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
Board,  the  nature  of  which  she  is  supposed  distinctly 
to  understand.  She  comes,  moreover,  under  certain 
other  distinct  and  well-understood  pledges:  (i.)  As  to 
her  manner  of  life.,  which  is  to  be  one  of  exemplary 
piety  and  devotion  to  her  work.  (2.)  As  to  her  teach¬ 
ing.,  which  must  be  conformed  to  the  evangelical  doc¬ 
trines  generally  received  by  the  churches  sustaining  the 
Board,  and  set  forth  in  their  well-known  Confessions  of 
Faith. 

The  salaries  of  missionaries  begin  on  arriving  upon 
a  mission  field.  The  Board  does  not  pay  the  debts  of 
missionaries  contracted  before  their  appointment,  nor 
those  which  they  contract  afterward  unless  previously 


8 


MANUAL. 


authorized  by  the  Committee.  It  is  a  standing  usage 
not  to  pay  any  part  of  the  expenses  incurred  in  prep¬ 
aration  for  the  work  abroad.  The  allowance  for  the 
support  of  the  missionary  in  the  foreign  field  is  not  to 
be  regarded,  in  any  proper  sense,  as  compensation  for 
labor  performed  ;  nor  is  it  graded  to  suit  the  varying 
abilities  or  success  of  different  individuals,  as  in  ordi¬ 
nary  business  occupations.  The  salaries  asked  by  a 
mission  for  its  different  members,  after  consultation 
with  them,  and  allowed  by  the  Prudential  Committee, 
are  supposed  to  express  what  is  necessary  in  the  way 
of  pecuniary  support  to  their  greatest  efficiency  and 
success.  In  one  sense  it  is  a  grant  in  aid  made  by  the 
churches  at  home  through  the  Prudential  Committee. 
It  is  desired  that  the  missionary  should  be  free  from 
anxiety  in  regard  to  means  of  living,  so  as  to  leave 
heart  and  hand  at  liberty  for  the  best  possible  service 
in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Compensation  for  this  service 
will  be  found  in  the  fulfillment  of  a  personal  duty  and 
privilege,  and  in  the  conscious  presence  and  approba¬ 
tion  of  the  Lord.  Enlistment  in  the  missionary  en¬ 
terprise  is  wholly  voluntary,  as  well  on  the  part  of  the 
missionary  who  goes  abroad  as  on  the  part  of  her 
fellow  Christians  who  remain  at  home.  They  are  co¬ 
workers  and  mutual  helpers.  It  is  necessary  for  all  to 
feel  that  they  are  discharging  only  their  own  personal 
obligations  to  the  Head  of  the  Church — that,  under 
his  eye,  they  are  performing  only  their  own  appropriate 
work. 

The  fact  should  never  be  lost  sight  of  that  the  Board 
and  its  Committee  and  officers  have  identically  the 
same  object  in  view  and  the  same  interest  as  the  mis¬ 
sionaries.  Their  object  and  their  interest  are  nothing 
less  than  to  render  all  the  missions  and  missionaries  in 
connection  with  the  Board  as  useful  as  possible. 

Before  the  appointment  is  made,  the  correspondence 
of  the  candidate  is  with  the  Secretary  for  the  home  de¬ 
partment  ;  afterward  it  is  with  the  Secretary  having 
charge  of  the  foreign  correspondence. 


MANUAL. 


9 


VII.  Ou^t. 

The  outfit  of  a  missionary  includes  clothing,  bedding, 
and  all  necessary  furnishing  for  her  own  room,  on  ar¬ 
riving  at  her  place  of  destination,  and  the  necessary 
furnishing  for  housekeeping  when  two  or  more  are  to  be 
associated.  This  will  include  furniture  for  a  kitchen 
and  a  common  sitting-room,  besides  bed-rooms  for 
each. 

It  is  desirable  that  the  relatives  and  personal  friends  of 
the  candidate  should  aid  in  furnishing  outfit  so  far  as  able 
and  disposed  to  do  so,  not  only  as  contributing  so  much 
to  the  treasury  of  the  Board,  but  also  as  a  means  of  en¬ 
larging  their  interest  in  the  work  itself.  Of  course  those 
parents  who  would  have  aided  their  children  with  funds 
to  commence  housekeeping  will  not  withhold  their 
aid  because  their  children  b^ecome  missionaries  to  the 
heathen.  Collections  or  subscriptions  of  money  taken 
up  for  a  missionary’s  outfit  at  a  public  meeting  or  out¬ 
side  of  the  circle  of  a  missionary’s  personal  friends  are 
almost  always  inexpedient,  and  often  lead  to  unwise 
expenditure,  and,  therefore,  waste  of  mission  funds. 
If  ever  made,  in  view  of  local  interest  excited,  the  sums 
raised  should  be  regarded  by  the  missionary  as  so  much 
received  for  outfit,  and  they  should  be  acknowledged 
accordingly.  Thus  acknowledged  they  help  forward 
the  general  work. 

Application  should  never  be  made  to  an  auxiliary 
society  for  aid  in  procuring  outfit,  nor  for  an  extra 
allowance  beyond  what  is  given  by  the  Board.  If  the 
allowance  made  by  the  Board  is  not  large  enough,  it 
ought  to  be  increased.  If  it  is  sufficient,  the  auxiliary 
ought  not  to  be  requested  to  enlarge  it.  Besides,  irreg¬ 
ularities  of  this  kind  will  lead  to  evils  without  end. 

Well-made  boxes  of  the  medium  size  are  ordinarily 
more  convenient  for  clothing  than  trunks.* *  The  boxes 
should  be  numbered,  and  a  list  made  of  every  article 
contained  in  each.^^  Things  to  be  used  on  the  voyage 

*  Where  the  boxes  are  to  be  transported  on  horses  any  considerable  distance, 
it  is  recommended  that  the  length  be  3  feet,  the  depth  i  foot  and  6  inches,  and 
the  breadth  i  foot  and  4  inches ;  and  the  gross  weight  of  the  box,  when  filled , 
should  not  exceed  160  pounds. 

*  A  general  statement  of  the  contents  of  each  box,  as  "clothing,”  "books,” 
etc.,  and  approximate  value,  should  be  furnished  the  forwarding  agent,  for 
custom  house  purposes  and  for  insurance. 


MANUAL. 


I  O 


should  be  packed  separately  and  marked  accordingly  ; 
and  everything  should  be  forwarded  to  the  place  of 
embarkation  in  good  season. 

The  varied  articles  of  one’s  outfit,  as  furniture, 
books,  etc.,  should  be  sent  on  some  weeks  in  advance 
of  the  departure  of  the  missionary,  and  such  things 
should  be  taken  with  the  missionary  as  are  likely  to  be 
of  use  on  the  journey  and  for  a  limited  time  afterward, 
till  goods  sent  forward  may  have  arrived  for  use. 

Necessary  traveling  expenses  from  one’s  home  in  this 
country  prej^aratory  to  embarkation  and  the  cost  of 
passage  are  paid  by  the  Board,  and  are  not  included  in 
the  outfit.  The  Treasurer  is  authorized  to  pay  the 
freight  of  outfit  to  the  place  of  destination  to  an 
amount  not  exceeding  two  tons,  ship  measurement, 
forty  cubic  feet  to  a  ton,  for  one  person  going  alone, 
or  six  tons  for  two  who  expect  to  keep  house  together. 

By  the  rules  of  the  Board,  a  missionary  may  receive 
aid  from  its  funds  for  her  outfit,  when  the  assistance 
is  needed,  to  the  amount  of  $250,  and  $75  more,  if 
required,  for  housekeeping  expenses.  At  least  $50  of 
the  outfit  allowance  should  be  reserved,  to  be  expended 
after  reaching  the  mission  field. 

IX.  Counsel  as  to  Outfit. 

Become  as  well  acquainted  as  possible  with  the  char¬ 
acter  and  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  field  to  which 
you  are  going.  Advise  when  practicable  with  mission¬ 
aries  recently  from  that  field,  and  then  make  out  a  list 
for  yourself  as  the  result  of  your  own  reflections. 
Every  missionary  securing  such  assistance  as  may  be 
had  from  other  missionaries,  and  from  the  Missionary' 
Rooms,  and  exercising  due  thought  on  the  subject,  can 
form  a  satisfactory  opinion  as  to  what  she  will  need. 
Consider  the  length  of  the  journey,  the  countries  to  be 
passed  through,  and  that  no  washing  can  be  done  at 
sea. 

The  number  of  articles  to  be  used  on  the  voyage 
should  be  as  few  as  possible,  yet  sufficient,  with  a  few 
extras  for  sickness.  In  warm  weather  more  changes 
will  be  necessary  than  in  cold. 


MANUAL. 


1 1 

Thick  clothing,  somewhat  worn,  will  be  found  useful 
on  shipboard  and  in  traveling. 

In  determining  what  articles  of  clothing  shall  be 
taken  for  the  voyage,  and  for  use  after  reaching  the 
field,  proceed  methodically,  beginning  with  the  outer 
garment,  and  note  down  how  many  will  be  needed  — 
thick  and  thin,  coarse  and  fine,  woolen,  cotton,  etc. 

As  a  general  rule  clothing  should  be  warmer  for 
winter  and  cooler  for  summer  than  in  the  same  tem¬ 
perature  in  this  country. 

Mattresses  and  furniture  will  generally  be  procured 
at  the  place  of  embarkation. 

The  amount  of  furniture  to  be  taken  must  be  deter¬ 
mined  by  the  locality  of  the  mission.  Owing  to  the 
progress  of  commerce,  etc.,  less  and  less  need  be  taken 
every  year. 

In  making  the  purchases,  see  at  every  step  that  you 
are  not  running  beyond  your  available  means.  If  you 
are,  you  may  be  sure  you  are  planning  on  too  large  a 
scale. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  articles  to  be  obtained  at  the 
place  of  the  missionary’s  residence  in  this  country  are 
those  which  are  manufactured  by  the  needle.  Such 
articles,  made  among  friends,  are  better  than  those 
which  are  found  ready  made  in  cities.  Donations  in 
stockings,  shoes,  etc.,  should  also  be  thankfully  re¬ 
ceived,  and  whatever  other  needful  articles  can  be 
packed  in  a  small  space.  But  bulky  articles,  and  also 
heavy  articles,  unless  the  place  of  embarkation  is  near, 
should  be  procured  at  that  place,  the  freight  being  a 
serious  addition  to  the  first  cost.  Bring  a  list,  fairly 
written,  of  all  the  articles  obtained.  Clothing  should 
all  be  marked  with  the  name  of  the  owner. 

Bear  in  mind  that  freight  is  always  paid  on  the  out¬ 
fit,  thus  greatly  increasing  the  cost  of  bulky  articles, 
before  they  reach  their  foreign  destination  ;  and  as  the 
charge  for  freight  is  by  measurement  (cubic  feet),  great 
care  should  be  taken  to  pack  goods,  especially  furni¬ 
ture,  in  the  smallest  possible  compass.  Many  articles 
should  be  taken  to  pieces  before  being  packed. 

It  is  no  longer  true,  in  respect  to  any  mission,  that 


12 


MANUAL. 


an  outfit  of  clothing,  etc.,  should  be  procured  for  sev¬ 
eral  years.  Fresh  supplies  can  now  be  readily  ordered 
from  home  or  obtained  abroad. 

A  competent  person  will  be  found  at  the  Missionary 
Rooms  in  Boston  to  advise  the  missionaries  in  the  pur¬ 
chase  of  articles  of  outfit^  and  to  conduct  them  to  places 
where  these  articles  can  be  advantageously  procured. 

Experience  has  shown  that  it  is  well  for  missionaries 
to  be  assisted  only  so  far  as  may  be  necessary  to  enable 
them  to  be  in  readiness  on  the  day  of  embarkation ; 
and  it  is  better,  on  all  accounts,  that  they  should  pur¬ 
chase  the  articles,  and  pack  at  least  their  clothing  and 
bedding.  They  are  then  better  satisfied,  and  they 
know  where  to  look  for  what  they  want. 

A  full  and  accurate  account  should  be  kept  of  the 
manner  in  which  all  moneys  received  from  the  treasury 
of  the  Board  have  been  expended,  noting  particularly 
what  is  for  traveling  expenses  and  what  for  outfit. 

A  settlement  of  accounts  should  be  made  with  the 
Treasurer  before  embarkation.  Funds  will  then  be 
furnished  by  him  for  the  journey  to  the  mission  sta¬ 
tion,  and  a  careful  account  of  all  disbursements  of  such 
moneys  should  be  kept  and  promptly  sent  back  on 
reaching  the  field.  Any  balance  unexpended  should 
be  reported  to  the  mission  Treasurer,  and  generally 
should  be  placed  in  his  hands. 

The  outfit  of  a  missionary,  with  the  exception  of 
wearing  apparel,  is  regarded  as  the  property  of  the 
Board,  so  far  as  purchased  by  its  funds ;  and  in  case 
of  a  missionary  retiring  from  the  field  within  a  limited 
period,  as  five  years,  for  other  cause  than  failure  of 
health,  it  is  expected  that  an  equitable  return  will  be 
made  to  the  Board  —  due  regard  being  had  to  expenses 
incurred  and  services  rendered. 

Confer  with  the  Secretaries  of  the  Board  in  reference 
to  a  passport,  and  the  necessary  instructions  will  be 
given.  In  some  cases  a  passport  is  not  required. 

A  few  choice  books,  well  selected,  are  better  than 
many  for  a  private  library.  Books  and  periodicals  can 
always  be  ordered,  as  needed,  through  the  Missionary 
Rooms. 


MANUAL. 


13 


When  once  the  question  of  going  abroad  is  settled, 
thoughtfully  and  prayerfully,  it  is  better  to  avoid  all 
wearisome  and  exhaustive  discussions  of  the  matter 
with  one’s  friends.  Other  topics  are  then  in  order. 
Experience  has  shown  that  short  farewell  visits  are  the 
most  satisfactory  in  the  end. 

The  missionary  from  the  time  of  her  appointment 
should  be  careful  to  keep  the  Secretary  who  has  the 
correspondence  with  her  informed  where  letters  will 
find  her  in  the  shortest  possible  time.  The  missionary 
should  have  a  season  of  rest  before  leaving,  so  as  to 
start  in  the  best  condition.  Too  much  hurry  at  the 
last  often  stands  in  the  way  of  enjoying  the  journey, 
and  stands  in  the  way  of  the  best  health  on  entering 
the  mission  field.  Let  vaccination  be  renewed  so  as 
to  avoid  any  danger  on  the  way  or  after  arriving. 
Missionaries  are  expected  to  care  conscientiously  for 
their  health,  taking  such  rest  and  vacations  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  missionary  fields  as  are  necessary  for 
this  purpose.  Occasionally  a  visit  to  the  United  States 
may  be  desirable,  but  no  fixed  period  of  labor  abroad 
entitles  a  missionary  to  such  a  furlough.  The  circum¬ 
stances  of  different  individuals  are  so  unlike,  and  the 
differences  of  climate  are  such,  that  each  case  must  be 
judged  of  according  to  its  necessity,  always  with  a  wise 
reference  to  the  best  interests  of  the  missionary  cause 
at  home  and  abroad. 

X.  Relations  to  the  American  Board  and  to  Woman's 

Boards. 

All  missionaries  are  appointed  and  designated  to 
their  several  fields  of  labor  by  the  Prudential  Commit¬ 
tee  of  the  American  Board.  Woman’s  work  is  thus 
made  an  integral  part  of  the  entire  work  committed  to 
the  Board,  while  unity,  just  proportion,  and  harmony 
of  action  are  secured.  Those  candidates  with  whom, 
through  correspondence  or  personally,  either  of  the 
Woman’s  Boards  has  become  acquainted,  and  whom 
the  Prudential  Committee  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  shall 
appoint,  are  usually  adopted  by  one  of  the  Woman’s 


14 


MANUAL. 


Boards.  By  this  connection  they  sustain  peculiarly 
close  and  affectionate  relations  with  a  large  number  of 
their  sisters  at  home,  and  mutual  regard,  sympathy, 
and  interest  of  the  greatest  value  on  both  sides  are 
developed.  The  pecuniary  support  of  these  mission¬ 
aries  is  secured  by  that  particular  Board  with  which 
the  special  connection  exists,  though  they  receive  their 
salaries  through  the  treasury  of  the  American  Board. 
Wives  of  missionaries  also  are  sometimes  thus  adopted. 

XI.  In  the  Field. 

Women,  married  or  unmarried,  are  members  of  the 
mission  and  of  the  station  where  they  reside.  Their 
work  is  a  part  of  the  mission  work,  and  in  all  mission 
arrangements  is  to  be  considered  equally  with  other 
work. 

The  general  care  and  responsibility  for  the  station, 
naturally  and  by  the  rules  of  the  Board,  devolve  upon 
the  men.  The  general  care  of  the  schools  and  semi¬ 
naries  ;  as  to  where  they  shall  be  established  and  how 
conducted ;  the  terms  of  admission  and  charges  for 
tuition  and  board;  the  salaries  of  employes,  whether 
teachers  or  others ;  the  style  of  living,  etc.,  are  to  be 
determined  by  the  station  in  accordance  with  the  policy 
of  the  Board  and  of  the  mission.  Women  engaged  in 
other  kinds  of  work  than  teaching  will  arrange  their 
plans  in  conference  with  the  station,  and  be  governed 
by  the  judgment  of  the  station.  When  women  wish  to 
be  absent  on  tours  or  for  other  reasons,  as  in  the  case 
of  men,  the  station  is  to  be  consulted  and  its  approval 
obtained.  Women  are  to  present  to  the  station  plans 
for  their  work,  estimates  of  expenses,  and  reports,  in 
the  same  manner  as  other  members  of  the  station.  In 
the  consideration  of  questions  touching  their  own  work 
the  unmarried  women  of  a  mission  and  a  station  are  to 
have  an  equal  voice  with  the  men. 

Matters  of  detail  in  the  work  assigned  to  women, 
the  arrangement  of  classes  in  the  schools,  and  the  like 
—  while  advice  and  assistance  may  be  asked  about 
these  —  are  committed  to  the  women  in  charge,  as  to 


MANUAL. 


15 


men  it  is  committed  to  arrange  and  order  the  details  of 
their  specific  work.  In  all  these  respects  institutions 
in  charge  of  women  and  of  men  are  on  precisely  the 
same  basis,  whether  the  institutions  are  under  trustees 
or  otherwise. 

In  case  of  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  conduct  of 
their  work,  women  have  the  same  right  with  men  of 
appeal  to  the  mission  in  the  first  instance,  and  later,  if 
need  be,  to  the  Prudential  Committee,  and  always  of 
reference  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  American  Board. 

Unmarried  ladies  will  make  their  own  arrangements 
as  to  boarding  in  some  missionary  family  or  keeping 
house  for  themselves.  When  two  or  more  can  unite  in 
keeping  house  it  is  deemed  the  better  way,  as  giving 
more  independence. 

XII.  Pecuniary  Relations. 

As  the  Prudential  Committee,  in  making  the  annual 
appropriations,  aims  to  give  to  all  the  missions  and  mis¬ 
sionaries  a  just  proportion  of  the  means  at  its  disposal, 
and  distributes  according  to  estimates  carefully  pre¬ 
pared  and  duly  submitted  to  it  by  the  different  mis¬ 
sions,  it  is  incumbent  on  all  missionaries  to  accept  the 
arrangement  made  by  the  Prudential  Committee,  and 
not  to  make  special  appeals  for  objects  outside  of  the 
regular  appropriations.  If  there  is  occasion  to  ask  for 
more  than  has  been  allowed,  representation  should  be 
made,  with  the  consent  of  the  mission  or  station,  to 
the  Prudential  Committee  of  the  American  Board, 
through  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  that  Board,  or  through 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Woman’s  Boards,  but 
not  to  their  branches  or  auxiliaries,  nor  to  churches. 
Sabbath-schools,  or  individual  Christians.  Such  a 
rule  is  necessary  to  prevent  jealousies  in  the  field,  to 
secure  the  wisest  use  of  missionary  funds,  and  the 
necessary  means  to  carry  on  the  regular  work  in  hand. 

The  missionary  is  to  keep  her  personal  account 
wholly  separate  from  the  mission  account  of  the  work 
in  her  charge,  and  is  not  to  overdraw  in  either  except 
in  extraordinary  emergencies,  and  then  only  with  the 
approval  of  the  station.  In  case  of  extraordinary  ex- 


i6 


MANUAL. 


penses,  owing  to  sickness  or  other  providential  reasons, 
a  special  grant  should  be  asked,  so  as  to  prevent  any 
indebtedness  at  the  end  of  a  year. 

It  is  not  expected  that  the  salary  of  a  missionary  will 
enable  her  to  assume  the  support  of  pupils  in  school, 
nor  is  it  wise  for  her  to  do  so,  or  to  limit  herself  in 
necessary  comforts  in  order  to  the  larger  exercise  of 
charity.  If  a  missionary  has  private  funds  of  her  own 
to  use,  the  greatest  carefulness  is  required  not  to  do 
harm  to  the  work  itself  or  to  compromise  other  mis¬ 
sionaries  less  favored.  It  is  better  that  such  funds  be 
applied  toward  her  own  salary  or  for  the  regular  work 
committed  to  her.  On  no  account  is  a  missionary  to 
adopt  a  native  child. 

XIII.  Correspondence. 

Missionaries  supported  by  the  Woman’s  Boards  are 
expected,  in  addition  to  their  regular  correspondence 
with  and  their  reports  to  the  Foreign  Secretary  of  the 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  to  be  in  correspondence  with  the  Board 
by  which  they  have  been  adopted,  and  to  keep  said 
Board  informed  of  the  condition  and  progress  of  the 
work  under  their  care.  Much  can  be  done  by  such  cor¬ 
respondence  to  awaken  and  sustain  a  hearty  interest 
in  the  work,  and  to  secure  funds  for  its  support  and 
enlargement ;  and  such  assistance  is  greatly  desired. 
Bat  no  missionary  should  sacrifice  regular  hours  of  ex¬ 
ercise  and  sleep  for  the  sake  of  correspondence  or  for 
any  other  work.  The  lines  of  duty  run  parallel;  and 
there  is  time  for  every  duty  in  a  well-ordered  arrange¬ 
ment  of  labor. 

XIV.  Returned  Missionaries. 

The  same  spirit  of  consecration  to  Christ  which  leads 
the  missionary  to  go  abroad  will  also  lead  one  to  seek  a 
season  of  rest  and  recreation  when  necessary  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  cause ;  and  such  a  season  of  rest 
can  be  secured  by  an  application  to  the  Prudential 
Committee,  duly  indorsed  by  the  mission,  as  best  ac¬ 
quainted  with  tire  case  and  interested  in  the  welfare  of 
its  members. 


